More than 5.4 million government care recipients may have Alzheimer’s or some form of dementia, according to researchers working to develop the first national surveillance system to monitor these neurological conditions.
To date, the lack of a widely accepted monitoring tool makes it difficult to accurately estimate the prevalence of dementia and the direct costs of care, despite advances in scientific diagnosis and management of the disease. The new surveillance model, which includes about 40 different criteria, allows cases to be verified based on symptoms such as vascular dementia or the use of Alzheimer’s drugs.
Cases of dementia – a term that generally covers the loss of cognitive abilities – are expected to triple worldwide by 2050 as the population ages. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, will cost the US economy an estimated $321 billion in 2022.
A new prevalence model and data center launched Tuesday is the first step toward creating a disease inventory system, said researcher Kan Gianattasio of the University of Chicago’s NORC, who co-led the project. .
The data show that about 9% of patients have evidence of at least probable Alzheimer’s disease or related dementia. “Patients and families need substantial resources to deal with this disease,” Gianattasio told Axios. “A comprehensive, national surveillance system is critical to public health efforts. Until now, such a system did not exist.” The data can also identify differences in diagnosis and quality of care, enabling policymakers to find solutions, he added.
The effort, funded by the federal government and presented Tuesday at JAMA Network Open, was carried out in collaboration with the George Washington Institute School of Public Health. Researchers plan to update the data tracker annually.
Diagnosing dementia remains difficult. NORC’s model classifies diagnostic codes into three levels according to their likelihood of diagnosing dementia, while eliminating codes that are frequently used for billing purposes but are not reliable indicators of the disease. While monitoring Alzheimer’s is relatively straightforward, other forms of dementia pose similar challenges, making a comprehensive picture of the disease essential, Gianattasio emphasized.
The new model shows that 7.2% of Medicare beneficiaries in 2019 were very likely to have dementia, 1.9% probably had dementia and 4.3% probably had dementia. “Surveillance alone is not helpful if there is no action based on the findings,” said Terry Fulmer, president of the John A. Hartford Foundation, which funds initiatives to improve care for the elderly. Fulmer added that higher Medicare reimbursements are needed to substantially improve care for dementia patients. He also cited an eight-year pilot payment program launched in July by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as an example of how that approach might take shape.
Source: Axios.com
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Alzheimer’s disease research paper PDF
The Importance of Monitoring Alzheimer’s Disease: Developing a Comprehensive National Surveillance System
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing concern worldwide, with an estimated 5.4 million government care recipients potentially suffering from the condition or some form of dementia. The lack of a widely accepted monitoring tool has made it difficult to accurately estimate the prevalence of dementia and the direct costs of care. However, researchers are working to develop a national surveillance system to monitor these neurological conditions, which is expected to revolutionize the way we approach Alzheimer’s care.
The Current State of Alzheimer’s Care
Currently, diagnosing dementia remains a significant challenge. The condition, which generally covers the loss of cognitive abilities, is expected to triple worldwide by 2050 as the population ages. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, will cost the US economy an estimated $321 billion in 2022. The lack of a comprehensive monitoring system has made it difficult for policymakers to understand the true extent of the problem and allocate resources effectively.
The New Surveillance Model
The new surveillance model, funded by the federal government and presented at JAMA Network Open, is the first step towards creating a disease inventory system. The model includes about 40 different criteria, allowing cases to be verified based on symptoms such as vascular dementia or the use of Alzheimer’s drugs. This comprehensive approach will enable researchers to identify differences in diagnosis and quality of care, ultimately empowering policymakers to find solutions.
Artificial Intelligence in Alzheimer’s Monitoring
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is also playing a crucial role in Alzheimer’s monitoring. Researchers have proposed an AI-driven Internet of Things (IoT) model to monitor Alzheimer’s disease patient condition [[1]]. This innovative approach utilizes GPS-based monitoring systems to collect daily activity data, videos, and other information to help caregivers keep track of their loved ones remotely. Additionally, smart health care systems that utilize IoT technology can provide real-time monitoring and data analysis, enabling early intervention and personalized care [[3]].
Smart Safeguard Alzheimer’s Security Bundle
Furthermore, innovative solutions such as the Smart Safeguard Alzheimer’s Security Bundle are emerging to support caregivers. This comprehensive bundle includes a camera for real-time monitoring, allowing caregivers to keep watch over their loved ones remotely, even when they’re not physically present [[2]].
The Future of Alzheimer’s Care
The new prevalence model and data center are expected to be updated annually, providing policymakers with a comprehensive picture of the disease. This data will enable policymakers to allocate resources more effectively, ultimately improving the quality of care for Alzheimer’s patients.
the development of a national surveillance system is a critical step towards addressing the growing concern of Alzheimer’s disease. By leveraging AI, IoT technology, and innovative solutions, we can improve the monitoring and care of Alzheimer’s patients, ultimately reducing the economic burden on the US economy.
References:
Alzheimer and Dementia impact factor
The Importance of Monitoring Alzheimer’s Disease: Developing a Comprehensive National Surveillance System
Alzheimer’s disease is a growing concern worldwide, with an estimated 5.4 million government care recipients potentially suffering from the condition or some form of dementia. The lack of a widely accepted monitoring tool has made it difficult to accurately estimate the prevalence of dementia and the direct costs of care. However, researchers are working to develop a national surveillance system to monitor these neurological conditions, which is expected to revolutionize the way we approach Alzheimer’s care.
The Current State of Alzheimer’s Care
Currently, diagnosing dementia remains a significant challenge. The condition, which generally covers the loss of cognitive abilities, is expected to triple worldwide by 2050 as the population ages. Alzheimer’s, the most common form of dementia, will cost the US economy an estimated $321 billion in 2022. The lack of a comprehensive monitoring system has made it difficult for policymakers to understand the true extent of the problem and allocate resources effectively.
The New Surveillance Model
The new surveillance model, funded by the federal government and presented at JAMA Network Open, is the first step towards creating a disease inventory system. The model includes about 40 different criteria, allowing cases to be verified based on symptoms such as vascular dementia or the use of Alzheimer’s drugs. This comprehensive approach will enable researchers
